Author: Tabitha
Anyone looking to buy a 2017 Buick Verano or Chrysler 200 sedan had better act quickly. Both four-door models have quietly ended production, although they will still be around for a bit longer, until supplies are exhausted. Preceding their retirement is the Dodge Dart that failed to answer the bell for the 2017 model year, however unsold 2016 remainders might still be available on dealer lots. Along with this trio, The Spy Guy is hearing that there could be other sedans circling the drain. The main reason for their apparent demise is a shift in buyer preference toward utility vehicles,…
In Europe, BMW, Mercedes-Benz parent Daimler, Ford and Volkswagen Group including Audi and Porsche have agreed to create a high-powered electric-vehicle charging network. The goal is to establish a quick build-up of stations to allow long-range travel for battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), which the companies call an important step toward facilitating mass-market BEV adoption. An initial target of about 400 sites across Europe is planned, but ‘by 2020 customers should have access to thousands of high-powered charging points,’ the automakers said in a statement. ‘The charging experience is expected to evolve to be as convenient as refueling at conventional gas stations.’…
A plug-in sports car from Canadian startup Girfalco promises to be one of the hardest-accelerating vehicles on the planet. With electric motors powering each wheel, the two-seat Azkarra S is designed for both road and track use and will accelerate to 60 mph from rest in an eyeball-flattening 2.5 seconds, and easily reaches its governed top speed of 150 mph. The standard model Azkarra has only one motor but still delivers high performance, accelerating to 60 mph from zero two seconds later, with a top speed of 124 mph. Girfalco, based in the province of Quebec, says owners can expect…
For pickup owners, there are times when extra passenger capacity comes in handy, which is when BedRyder can help. The product’s twin bucket seats mount to a separate frame that bolts directly to the bed of nearly every pickup truck and are legal almost everywhere since they meet or exceed government safety standards. The all-weather seats come with removable vinyl covers and both come with racing-style safety harnesses. Once installed, the seats can be used out in the open, or inside a pickup box. When not in use, the quick-release hardware makes removal (and reattachment) a simple process. The BedRyder…
Classic-car collectors prefer to display an authentic license plate on their vehicles, and, if possible, the one that originally came with the car. Many are in pretty rough shape, however. Restore A Tag can take your rusty old plate and turn it into a pristine tag that looks as good as the day it was issued by the D.M.V. The process includes straightening the plate and removing all of the old paint and rust through the process of bead blasting. Epoxy and primer are then applied to the surface, followed by preparing the primer for paint and applications of protective…
Oregon manufacturer Dub Box USA has created a camper version of the Volkswagen bus to haul to your favorite recreational spots. The fiberglass body is copied from an actual post-1967 Type 2 bus, weighs 1,800 pounds (about 1,400 pounds less than an actual camper bus) and can be pulled by smaller vehicles. The basic 16-foot-long Dub Box Adventure Camper sells for $16,500, including an stowable dining table, hand-pump sink, fresh- and gray-water holding tanks, interior storage cabinet and a U-shaped couch that converts into a queen-size bed. Options include air conditioning, roof-mounted solar panels, refrigerator, retractable awning and a roof…
For anyone who works on tall pickup trucks, sport-utility vehicles and the like, The Elevator from Nomad Manufacturing will come in handy. This specially designed platform will allow you to safely tower over an engine bay or roof while making mechanical or body repairs. The height-adjustable Elevator rolls into place on its own industrial-grade creeper-style wheels. The platform also features a locking mechanism plus a built-in tray for securing tools and fasteners while you work. Down below are padded bumpers that keep The Elevator from damaging your vehicle. Purchase for $650 at www.nomadmfg.com.
At the Technical University of Ingolstadt in Germany, powertrain-development engineers from Audi are expanding their knowledge in the field of electric mobility. Their goal is to increase their strategic and technical expertise as the automaker further strengthens its innovative power by gaining additional stimulus from the world of science. The first participants from the Powertrain Development department will complete their further training in January 2017. ‘We are working hard to accelerate the electrification of the Audi fleet,’ said Oliver Hoffmann, head of powertrain development at Audi AG. ‘That’s why we need experienced employees with the best qualifications to support this…
The first 200-mile-plus battery-electric car to not wear a Tesla badge is now for sale. General Motors has been ramping up production of the much-anticipated Chevrolet Bolt at the Orion assembly plant near Detroit, Mich., reports Reuters news agency. With a starting price of $37,495 before tax credits, it will be more affordable than other battery-electric passenger cars that provide similar range. GM is not talking about production targets, but the Reuters report cites a recent a tour of the plant (which also builds gas-powered Chevrolet Sonic sedans and hatchbacks) and noted that ‘every fourth or fifth car on the…
As The Sleuth heard some time ago, the name chosen to replace the Jeep Patriot and Compass compact-wagon duo is . . . Compass. Although the junior Jeep’s styling (especially the rear roof pillar) is unique, the grille has a decidedly Jeep Grand Cherokee look to it. The sole engine is a 180-horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder, while a variety of transmissions (including a six-speed manual) will be used, depending on the model and whether you choose front- or four-wheel-drive. As with the larger Cherokee, the Compass will come in a off-road-capable Trailhawk model with more ground clearance, underbody protection and a…